Kia PV5 review

The rise of Kia since it entered the UK market in 1991 is remarkable. That year, the South Korean newcomer sold just 1,786 cars.

Fast forward to 2025 and registrations had grown to a record-breaking 113,436 vehicles, making Kia the fourth best-selling brand in the UK with a 5.6% market share.

Not content with its passenger car success, Kia is now expanding into the commercial sector with the launch of the PV5 van (marketed as Cargo), which is also available as a people carrier (Passenger).

With its futuristic looks, it’s been designed from the ground-up as a 100% electric vehicle with built-in flexibility, so don’t be surprised if camper conversions become a familiar sight in years to come, for instance.

For now, the PV5 Cargo is offered with two trim levels (Essential and Plus), and a choice of Standard Range 51.5kWh or Long Range 71.2kWh battery pack, delivering ranges of up to 183 miles and 258 miles respectively.

Prices start from £27,645 excluding VAT, and the PV5 Cargo is additionally available with the maximum Government Plug-in Van Grant, reducing the cost by £5,000.

The Kia PV5 Passenger is initially offered with five seats, thought a seven-seater will follow later in 2026.

This model is also eligible for the UK Electric Car Grant, reducing its cost by £1,500. On-the-road pricing for the PV5 Passenger starts from £32,995, excluding the grant.

Other PV5 variants are already planned, including a Chassis Cab (a basic version designed for various third-party conversions, including camper vans), and a WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle).

I drove both the Cargo and Passenger versions at the UK launch event, and there’s no doubt about it, the PV5 is going to go down a treat with a wide range of customers.

Its bold exterior design is modern yet practical, while the dashboard blends durability with technology that would be the envy of many passenger cars.

For the record, there’s a 7.5-inch driver’s display and a larger 12.9-inch central touchscreen, running a new Android-based infotainment system, capable of OTA (over-the-air updates).

And thanks to a partnership with fleet tracking experts Geotab, managers can see where their vans are remotely, how much charge they’ve got and how efficiently they’re being driven.

Other goodies include air conditioning, LED headlights, automatic wipers, parking sensors front and rear, and a reversing camera all as standard. Plus trim adds other comforts, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and vehicle-to-load capability.

Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor producing 160bhp with the larger battery, or 120bhp with the smaller pack (both get 250Nm of torque).

Additionally, the Kia PV5 supports DC fast charging of up to 150kW, which means a 10-to-80% boost will take around 30 minutes.

The PV5’s obvious rival is the superb Volkswagen ID.Buzz, though that starts at more than £25,000 more.

With a comfortable driving position, light steering and a tight turning circle, the PV5 is easy to drive. Visibility is decent for the most part, though the big A-pillars can be challenging at junctions.

The ID.Buzz just edges it when it comes to badge appeal, car-like manners and driving engagement, but the PV5 is still very impressive.

On the road it feels composed and body lean in faster corners is kept to a minimum, thanks to the low centre of gravity from the low-slung battery pack.

Naturally, it’s also refined, while the ride quality is excellent, ironing out most of the lumps and bumps we’ve come to expect on our roads. There’s a surprising amount of grip too.

There are three driving modes (Normal, Eco and Snow), four levels of regenerative braking, plus an Auto setting.

While it’s not as fast off the line as the ID.Buzz, the PV5 performs perfectly respectably for a van.

Interestingly, Kia quotes fully laden acceleration figures, so a 0-62mph sprint will take 12.4 seconds in the 71.2kW Cargo and 16.2 seconds in the smaller (51.5kWh) version.

For now, there’s just one body size for the PV5 Cargo, measuring in at 4.67m long by 1.9m high. Cargo volume is rated at 4,420 litres and maximum payload ranges from 665kg for the long-range four-door version to 790kg for the standard-range three-door.

To put that into context, the PV5 has an extra 500 litres cargo volume compared to the VW and can carry between 60kg and 180kg more payload.

Incidentally, the PV5 Cargo I tested was carrying a simulated 350kg payload.

As you’d expect, there’s no shortage of space in the back in the PV5 Passenger, easily beating the ID.Buzz.

With the rear row up, there’s still 1,320 litres of luggage space behind, compared to 1,121 litres in the VW. Fold the back seats and there’s a cavernous 2,315 litres!

Sliding doors on both sides help to improve accessibility, especially in tight spaces, while a massive tailgate lifts at the rear.

As with all EVs, real-world range depends on the weather, load, journey terrain, and driving style. I’d need to drive both for a week or so to make an accurate assessment, but I’d estimate ranges of 140 miles (51.5kWh) and 210 miles (71.2kWh) are very achievable, based on a day driving both versions on mixed roads. What’s more, in city driving the PV5 is capable of ranges closer to the claimed figures.

Finally (as if all that isn’t enough), the PV5 comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty just like Kia’s car line-up, for extra peace of mind, compared to VW’s three years/60,000 miles of cover for the ID.Buzz.

So, ultimately, the PV5 is an remarkable first foray into commercial vehicles and van-based people carriers for Kia. The fact that the Cargo and Passenger are also so affordable and 100% almost electric beggars belief.

Verdict: Kia’s onto another winner with the bold, all-electric PV5, available as a van or people carrier. Amazing value for money, practical, easy to drive and laden with tech, the PV5 is a game-changer.

Kia UK